Uplifting the Justice40 Initiative in Iowa Excerpts from a blog written by past IEC staffer Sonita van der Leeuw on IEC's Blog. As the climate crisis continues to present unprecedented challenges, recent federal investments in climate action also present tremendous opportunities to build a more adaptive and resilient future. At this time, we must recognize and address the inequitable burdens the climate crisis places on marginalized and disadvantaged communities. These communities have historically been underserved or damaged by government policies and underinvestment in transportation, housing, water service, public health, and others. In early 2021, the Biden Administration launched the Justice40 Initiative, which is a whole-of-government approach to ensure that federal agencies work with states and local communities to direct 40% of the overall benefits from certain federal climate and clean energy programs to marginalized, over-polluted, underserved and disadvantaged communities. The Justice40 Initiative will be prioritized in the allocation of federal funds from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). These bills provide opportunities for communities to turn big ambitions into visible progress. It is crucial that Iowans know about these opportunities and how to provide input as these investments begin to trickle into the state. To find more resources about Justice40 and other federal funding opportunities in Iowa, visit iafederalfunding.org/justice40-initiative. | 
